Archives for January 7, 2013

‘Teams will hold training camp this week, with CBC reporting late Sunday night that the league has recommended camps open Saturday or next Monday in preparation for a 48-game season that will begin Jan. 19. The league is hoping to firm up those details today. A similar lockout in 1995 ended Jan. 11 and produced a 48-game schedule that began Jan. 20 and lasted into early May.’

“I stayed cautiously optimistic through the whole process,” new Sabres forward Steve Ott, acquired over the summer from Dallas for Derek Roy, told The News by phone Sunday from his home in Windsor, Ont. “You got excited a couple times and then the wheels fell off, and you had to wait some more and hope there was a breakthrough. I’m just completely excited to get back on the ice and be in Buffalo as soon as possible.”’

‘Some are people you see such as ticket-takers, ushers, popcorn vendors and members of cleanup crews. The financial strain ran much deeper, to restaurant employees and food suppliers and truck drivers, to hotel housekeepers, valet parking attendants, waiting staff, bartenders and beyond. Thank goodness the lockout ended – for their sake.’

‘The Sabres legally circumvented the waiver process before the season by signing Brennan, goalie David Leggio, right winger Mark Mancari and defenseman Joe Finley and Drew Schiestel to temporary American Hockey League contracts. Those deals will expire when the NHL season resumes.’

””While I’m glad to be going to games again, I’m disappointed that the fans had to suffer through this nonsense caused by the NHL and NHLPA,” Rozen said. “On the other hand, I’m excited for a shorter season where every game will have more meaning, giving season ticket holders more value for their investment.”‘

‘“I’m really excited,” Ott said. “I haven’t earned my jersey yet, and that’s kind of a big thing for a hockey player to (go) through the trenches to be able to earn that jersey. I’m excited to put that jersey and battle for it. It’s taken way too long to get that chance. But the opportunity is finally here.”’